Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Two-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Coupled with Mass Spectrometry Methods for an Analysis of Human Pituitary Adenoma Tissue Proteome
12:34

Two-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Coupled with Mass Spectrometry Methods for an Analysis of Human Pituitary Adenoma Tissue Proteome

Published on: April 2, 2018

KIT protein expression and mutational status of KIT gene in pituitary adenomas

Olivera Casar-Borota1, Stine Lyngvi Fougner, Jens Bollerslev

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0027 Oslo, Norway. olivera.casar.borota@medbio.umu.se

Virchows Archiv : an International Journal of Pathology
|January 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

KIT protein, a target for cancer therapy, is expressed in over half of pituitary adenomas. Researchers found no KIT gene mutations in these tumors, suggesting further investigation into Imatinib Mesylate treatment for specific pituitary adenomas.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • KIT protein and KIT gene mutations are studied in various tumors, especially since the development of KIT/PDGFRA tyrosine kinase inhibitors like Imatinib Mesylate.
  • Previous research on KIT expression in pituitary adenomas is limited, with no studies investigating the mutational status of the KIT gene in these tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate KIT protein expression and KIT gene mutational status in pituitary adenomas.
  • To determine if KIT expression correlates with specific pituitary adenoma subtypes or clinical data.
  • To explore the potential for KIT-targeted therapies in pituitary adenomas.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to assess KIT protein expression in 252 pituitary adenomas.
  • Western blot analysis confirmed KIT expression in a subset of 48 adenomas.
  • Exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 of the KIT gene were analyzed for mutations using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and sequencing.

Main Results:

  • KIT protein was expressed in 52.4% (cytoplasmic) and 8.3% (membranous) of pituitary adenomas.
  • Significant differences in KIT expression were observed between non-functioning, growth hormone-producing, and adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing adenomas.
  • No mutations were detected in the examined exons of the KIT gene in any of the analyzed pituitary adenomas.

Conclusions:

  • KIT protein expression is present in a significant subset of pituitary adenomas, with varying patterns depending on adenoma type.
  • The absence of KIT gene mutations suggests that KIT's role in pituitary adenoma pathogenesis may not involve direct mutation.
  • Further research is warranted to determine if pituitary adenomas with KIT expression could respond to Imatinib Mesylate treatment.

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